Container sealer



J@ im, 1941. n. L FERQUSQM CONTAINER SEALER Filed Sept l2, 1938 lO Sheets-Sheet l June 10, 194i. L FERGUSQN @244,873

CONTAINER SEALER" Filed Sept. 12l 1938 lO Sheets-Sheeil 2 16 'II |l CONTAINER SEALER Filed Sept. l2, 1958 .Hime W; WM..

10 Sheets-Shee. 5

MMM @i Jam@ l@ MM J. L. FERGUSON CONTAINER SEALER l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. l2, 1938 A .Nw

Jun@ l0, 1941 J. L FERGUSON 2,244,873

CONTAINER SEALER Filed sept. 12, 1938 1o sneens-sheet s Imllllin 'Hl llillllli "wmlmih WHHHWMIHMmi umili WHWMM* lllmll J. L. FERGUSCN CONTAINER SEALER June 10, 194l Filed Sept. l2, 1958 1,0 Sheets-Shee'b 6 CONTAINER SEALER Filed Sept. l2, 1938 l0 Sheets-Shee 7 5mm mi@ WML J, L, FERGUSQN CONTAINER SELER Filed sept. 12, 1958 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 www NSW June 10, W41- .1. L FERGUSON CONTAINER SEALER Filed Sept. l2, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 m nl! lll |:==;1n ml lm lm ml In w saunas june '10 1941J .1. L FERGUSON CONTAINER SEALER l0 Sheets-Shee l0 Filed sept. 12, 193s Nmww m/ Patented June 10.1941

CONTAINER Slm John L. Ferguson,

Ferguson Joliet,lll..aasigncrtoJ.L

0ompany,.oliet,lll..acerporationof Illinois Application Septembu' 12, 1938, Serial No. 229,516

20 Claims. (a. -G

This invention relates to container sealers and more particularly to a so-called universal container sealer in which containers of various sizes or dimensions may consecutively be sealed irrespective of their size within the limits of the machine, and without regard to the order in which they may be delivered to the machine.

Heretofore container sealers have been made which were adjustable to accommodate containers of any predetermined sise within the limits of the adjusting mechanism. However, in such machines, it is necessary to manually adjust the machine or manually control the adjustment for each size of container which it is desired to seal. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a so-called universal sealer which requires no manual t and is automatically adaptable to seal containers of any size or dimension within comparatively order in which the various sizes of containers may be delivered to the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a comparatively small, compact universal sealer which may be operated at high speedfor quantity production.

Another object is to provide a machine of the character described which is automatically adaptable to accommodate different sizes of containers and which will automatically apply adhesive and seal both ends of the containers.

A still further object is the provision of a completely automatic universal container sealer, wherein the adhesive applying means is adapted for the usual type of so-called skip gluing.

The device is adaptable for sealing various types of containers. However. the containers for which the present invention is particularly adaptable are usually comparatively large and are filled with relatively small cartons or cans or other objects with both ends of the containers unsealed. The upper naps are normally vertically extended and the bottom flaps are closed so that the weight of the contents rests on the unsealed lower ilaps. The containers are usually fed into the machine on a suitable conveyor forming a part thereof, whereby the lower flaps remain folded until a ilap device opens the lower side naps at which time it is desirable to support the contents of the container with the lower end naps closed while permitting the side flaps to be opened to a position in which adhesive may be applied. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a suitable feeding mechanism for various which the bottoms of the containers may be retained in alignment in a horizontal plane duringtbeirpassagethroughthemachine,and the contents of the containers may be suitably sup-l ported while permitting the lower side flaps to be moved to adhesive applying position.

A further object is the provision of suitable means by which the containers may be separated and properly spaced and aligned during their movement through the machine in order that the succeeding containers may not interfere with the automatic adaptation of the various elements to the different sizes of containers.

Further objects will be apparent from the speciilcation and the'appended claims.

In the drawings:

Hg. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention. the container receiving end of the machine being shown at the left of the drawwide limits and irrespective of the zo ings.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 with the conveyor guards or covers brokm away for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l and 2 and taken from the receiving end of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a iop view of a portion of the receiving end of the machine with the conveyor guards partly broken away. and illustrates particularly the container stop device for spacing the containers and the means by which the stop members are automatically synchronized with the movement of the conveyors.

Fig. 5 is r. side perspective view of the feeding and stop mechanism illustrated in Fig.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the sealer taken from the discharge end of the machine and particularly illustrates the driving mechanism and top flap closers. y,

Fig. 'l is an end elevation of the discharge end of the machine shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the automatically adaptable adhesive applying mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view through the adhesive applying mechanism and illustrates the method of operating the glue rolls, and the automatically movable carriage on which the upper glue rolls are mounted.

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the angular feeder belts having a container thereon, and the support for the contents of the container and the end ilalls thereof.

Pig. 11 is a tic view illustrating the sise containers by 55 stop means for the containers at the receiving vendofthemachinewherebythecontainersare separatedinamannertobeengagedbytheconveycr flights and mperlyspacedfor movement throughthemachine.

AF1512isasomewhatdiagrammatictopvievv ofamachineequippedwithapreferrediormof container aligner whereby ail of the containers irrespectiveottheirwidthareaiigned-onthe medialpianeotthemaclnne, Fls.l3isasldeviewofthe illustratedinmlz.

Reterringtothedrawingsindetaltheembodimentillustratedcomprisesaname i snpporiedonsuitablelegsasiilustrated. lllleirame isprovidedwithupwardlyextendngmechanismsupportingmembers2,andtheseareconnected attheirupperendsbymeansofaiongitudinai chsnnelironlasiilustratedparticulayinligs. i,3,and6. Theupghsmayalsosupport longitudinal guidemembexslwhicharemounted oneachsideofthemachineandarearranged tosuppm'tandguidelrmgitudinailydisposedendlessconveyorehainsiwhicharemountedon drivingsprocietsadiacentthedischargeend oithemaahineandmsprockeisiadiacentthe receivingend. Thesprocketsi areidlersand preferablyareeaehmmmtedonanadiustable memberlwhichmayinturnbeslidablysupportedonitsrespecveguidemmnhersland provided with an adjusting screw l whereby the conveyorchainsmaybemitabiyadiusted. The

alignermechanism conveyors.

The vertical conveyorshafts I* andri are drivenbymeansofasuitahlemotorllanda specdreducingmecbsmsm il mountedonthe framel. 'nneqaeedredudngmechanismisprovidedwithatnnsvemedxiveshaitllarranged todrivetheva'ticaiconveyorshaftsrande bymeansofbeveiedgeanandlhespectlvely. '.iheconveyorchainsareprovidedwimsuitable libywhichthecontahiers are carriedthroughthemachinewiththeirrearwalls inccmatelyspacedrelatiomslnp. Anadhosive applying mechanism is provided intermediate theendsoithernachinefor applying adhesive asthecotainenpassthereby. Thismechanism wiilbedescribedhter.

Attherecdvingmdofiemachmespaced transverse'shafullandll mgaLzandi) orcmountedinsuitabiebeuingsandprovided withpulleysllandlirpectivelyforsupporting ashortbelt-convaorlonwhichthecontainers mnsofanysmtsbleconveyor. 'meshartii isdrivenn'mnthespeedredneingshaftilatthe oppositeendotthemschmeiland) by meansofasxnocketll ontheqaeedreducing Mandaclninndrivingasprochetseaxrcdtoatmnsvexseshnrtzl. Tinstnnsverse mmitlhio be driven through the transmission iust described and at a desired speed. y

In the present invention the short conveyor belt is preferably driven at a relatively low A speed in order to permita proper spacing of the containers as they enter the machine. The spacing mechanism and the means for supporting the contents 'of the containers with the end flaps closed while permittingi the side iiaps to beopened to receive the adhesive will now be de- Two angularly positioned spaced belts Il (Fiss.

3 and 4) are mounted on suitably angular-ly positioned pulleys 3i and on idler pulleys 32. The pulleys are mounted on a suitable frame 33 (Fig. 5) which is in turn supported upon the frame of the machine as shown. The pulleys 3l are preferably so-called stepped pulleys and the belts aremounted on the large diameter step. 'Ihe`stepped pulleys Il are driven from the shaft 28 by means of V-belts il mounted on the small diameter steps of the pulleys 3i and on appropriate pulleys on the shaft 28.

The angular belts 30 are preferably driven at a somewhat higher speed than the short conveycr belt 2l in order that the consecutive containers may be engaged by suitable stops and released thereby in timed relationship so that they are properly spaced and then moved through the machine by the conveyor flights I5.

The belts 3l' are angularly positioned, as illustrated particularly in Fig. 10, so that, as the containers are moved forwardly into the machine` the lower side iiaps of a container 36 may drop downwardly thereon, as illustrated, and permii the container to pass onto a longitudinal supporting shelf 31 with the aps 35 below the shelf and the closed end iiaps and contents of the container resting on and supported by the shelf 31.

The front end of the shelf 31 is tapered sub stantially to a point, as shown, in order that ii may easily enter between the bottom of the containerand theiiaps 35. Theshelf extendsfrom the receiving end of the machine to adjacent the discharge end,asshowninFigs. 3 and6,inorder that the contents of the containers may be suitably supported until the bottom side flaps are folded in a position to support the contents, after which the containers may be discharged from the machine. The shelf 31 may be mounted on brackets 38 (Fig. 9) which are in turn secured to a transverse plate 39 which is mounted on and may form a part of the frame I. The brackets 38 are supported adjacent the median plane of the machine so that clearance is provided under the shelf 31 for movement of the container mm As previously stated the angular conveyor belts 3l operate at a somewhat higher speed than the short conveyor belt 2l so that when a container moves onto the angular belts 3U the high speed of these belts causes each preceding container to be somewhat separated from the sucseeding adjacent container and enables stop members to enter therebetween and momentarily stop the succeeding container to provide proper spacing. A container stop member is located on each side of the path of the containers and these members and the mechanisms for operation thereof. are identical on each side of the machine. Each stop mechanism is operated from its ediacent container conveyor and in synchronizaiionwiththemovementoi theiiightsthereon. It

beseenthatthesboltrecdvingbeltllmay wiilthereforeonlybenecessarytodescribeone aai-1,873

of these stops and the driving mechanism 'therefor.

- Each of the stop members comprises a roller 48 normally positioned in the path of the containers and mounted on a bell crank lever 4I pivoted at 42 preferably on one of the conveyor guides 4. The lever 4| is provided with an arm 43 having a cam roller 44 thereon engaging a cam 45. A spring 45 retains the cam roller against the cam 45 and the movement of the cam is arranged to move the stops to release a container at the proper time and to engage a succeeding container. 'I'he cam 45 is secured to a short shaft rotatably mounted at 41 on the member 8 which supports the idler sprocket 1 on which the conveyor chain is mounted. The cam is driven from the idler sprocket by means of a pinion 48 meshing with a gear 49 on the-l cam shaft 41. By this means the containers, irrespective of size, are properly spaced for delivery to the adhesive applying mechanism.

In order to properly align all of the containers, regardless of their width, on the vertical medial plane of the machine, resilient guide members are provided, one of which engages each side of the containers as they are moved along the shelf 31 and toward the adhesive applying device. I'hese guide members comprise angularly positioned arms 59 pivotedat 5I and normally retained in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 by means of springs 52.

During the movement of the containers onto the pointed longitudinal shelf 31, the flaps 35 are partially open and these flaps are then completely opened during further movement by means of curved ap spreader rods 53 (Figs. 1, 3, 7, and 10) one end of which may may be secured to the support 31 and the other end to any suitable part of the machine whereby the flaps may be completely opened to enable adhesive to be applied thereto. The flap spreaders 53 are arranged to completely open the lower flaps to a horizontal position and direct each flap between a lower roll 54 (Figs. l and 9) and a resilient presser member 55 whereby the glue roll will apply adhesive to the inner side of the lower flaps.

A glue roll is provided on each side of the machine and each roll is secured to a transverse shaft 55. An adhesive-'containing glue box 51 is provided for each glue roll and the shaft 55 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings on the glue boxes and each box is pivotally mounted on a transverse shaft 58 so that the boxes and glue rolls thereon may be raised to provide skip gluing. A cam 59 is secured to the glue roll shaft 55 and rests on a cam roller 50 mounted in any convenient manner on the transverse frame member 39. With each revolution of the glue rolls they are raised and lowered to provide the usual so-called skip gluing. The lower glue rolls 54 are continuously driven from the shaft 24 (Figs. 1 and 6) by means of a chain and sprocket connection comprising a chain 5I and a sprocket 52 secured to the glue roller shaft 55 and a suitable sprocket secured to shaft 24.

A gluing mechanism is also provided for the top flaps of the containers and comprises a vertically movable carriage 53 (Figs. 1, 8, and 9) on which the adhesive applying mechanism is mounted for vertical movement therewith. The carriage preferably comprises a U-shaped sheet metal member having side walls 54 and a flat bottom wall 65. A transverse plate 55 forms a portion of the bottom wall 55 and projects out- The carriage 53 is slightly narrower than the i width of the narrowest container to be sealed and the front edges of the side walls 54 are curved as shown, and extend angularly upward so that as a container passes under the carriage these frontedges will close the forward end flap.

Substantially simultaneously with the closing of the front end flap, the rear end flap will be closed by a so-called flap tucker 59 which is pivoted on the carriage at 10.

'I'he tucker 59 is provided with an arm 1i to which is connected a link 12, the opposite end of which is supported on a transverse shaft 13 by means of a slot 14 in the link. The shaft 13 is mounted in suitable bearings on brackets 15 secured to the longitudinal channel iron 3 forming a part of the frame of the machine. A cam roller 15 is mounted on the link 12 and engages a cam 11 secured to the shaft 13 whereby with each rotation of the cam 11 the tucker 59 will be operated to fold the rear end flap of a container. 'I'he tucker cam 11 is adjustably mounted on a sprocket 18 which latter in turn is secured to the shaft 13. The adjustment may be provided -by means of bolt and slot connections as shown, whereby the tucker 59 may be suitably timed with the movement of the containers.

The sprocket 18 is continuously driven by means of a sprocket chain 19 which is in turn driven by means of a sprocket 89 (Fig. 6) secured to a transverse shaft 8| mounted in suitable bearings on the frame. A vertical extension 92 is provided on the vertical conveyor drive shaft 9 and the shaft 8| is driven therefrom by means of beveled gears 93.`

Spaced guide brackets 94 (Fig. 9) are secured to each side of the channel iron frame member 3 for guiding the carriage 53 during its vertical movement, androllers are secured to each side of the carriage and engage the brackets 84. Thus the brackets provide a vertical track to enable vertical reciprocation of the carriage and to retain it in longitudinal alignment with the path of the containers. 'I'he rollers 85 are grooved to prevent lateral movement of the carriage. 'Ihe carriage 53 is raised and lowered for each container which passes through the machine and' the raising and lowering of the carriage is so timed with respect to the movement of the containers that during the downward movement of the carriage the curved front edge 54-a of the side walls of the carriage will engage on the top of the front wall of each .container irrespective of the dimensions of the container and the engagement will always be at a point which will support the carriage and enable the container to pass thereunder. Therefore eac'h containerl will pass under and support the carriage, and the downward movement of the carriage will be limited by the height of the container.

The carriage is raised and lowered for each container and this raising and lowering is accomplished by means of a bell crank cam lever 95 pivoted on the frame at 81. The front end of one arm of the lever is provided wlth a link Il which is pivotally secured to and normally supports the carriage I. The other arm of the bell crank lever 00 is provided with a cam roller Il which engages a cam 90 secured to the shaft 13 and rotatable therewith. 'Ihis cam Il is so designed that the movement of the carriage is synchronized with the movement of the containers so that the upper front edge will be engaged thereby at t'he proper time during the downward movement of the carriage. The cam 80 may be adjustably secured to the shaft 13 or a suitable adjustment may be provided by securing the cam to the sprocket 18 by slot and bolt connections in the same manner as for the cam 11.

An adhesive applying mechanism is mounted on the carriage 63 as shown particularly in Figs. 1, 8, and 9 and comprises a transverse shaft 9| mounted in suitable bearings on the carriage and extending laterally on each side thereof. On each end of the transverse shaft 9| vis secured a U-shaped glue roll supporting member 02. A transverse shaft 93 is rotatably mounted in the forwardly extending arms of the members 92 and extends through slots 94 in the side walls of the carriage 63. A glue roller 95 is secured to each end of the shaft 83 and between the arms of its corresponding U-shaped supporting mem.- ber. A glue box 96 is mounted on each member 02 and arranged to deliver adhesive to its corresponding glue roller in the usual manner. It will be apparent therefore that with both adhesive applying devices mounted on the members 92 and these members secured to the oscillatable shaft 9| the glue rollers may be raised and lowered to provide the usual so-called skip gluing for the upper flaps, and that the glue rollers will apply adhesive to the inside of the outturned upper side flaps of the containers. K

In order to permit the raising and lowering of the glue rollers to provide skip gluing, the transmission for driving the glue rollers is mounted on a toggle connection comprising a substantially vertical link 81 pivotally mounted on the glue roll shaft 93 and connected at its upper end to a horizontal arm 98 by means of a stub shaft 09. The horizontal arm 98 is pivotally mounted on the transverse driving shaft 0| at the discharge end of the machine (Fig. 6). The transmission for driving the glue rolls comprises a sprocket |00 secured to the glue roll shaft $3 and connected to a sprocket |0| on the stub shaft 8! by means of a sprocket chain |02, 'I'he stub shaft -99 is driven by means of another suitable Vsprocket thereon and a sprocket chain |03 which is in turn driven by means of a sprocket |04 secured to the transverse drive shaft 0 y In order to raise and lower the glue rolls 05 to provide skip gluing, a cam |05 (Fig. 9) is secured to the glue roll shaft 93 and rests on a cam roller |06 suitably mounted on the carriage 63. By this arrangement, it will be apparent that with each rotation of the glue roller shaft 93 the glue rolls will be raised and lowered to provide suitable skip gluing.

A presser bar |01 (Figs. 1, 6 and 7) is positioned at the rear of the carriage B3 and is: provided with upwardly extending supporting rods |08 secured thereto and slidably mounted in guides |09 secured to the frame of the machine. Springs ||0 normally retain the presser bars in the down position shown and the forward end of the bar is curved upwardly as illustrated sov that it will ride over all the containers passing thereangers under and retain the end aps closed until the side flaps are folded thereover.

mp closing members m are provided bn each -side ofv the machine (Figs. 6 and 8) for closing the upper side flaps and may comprise curved rods having their forward -ends extending through the conveyor guardsv 6a and pivotally secured thereunder so that their opposite ends may automatically be raised by containers passing thereunder and in accordance with the height of the containers. The outturnedA flaps of the container will ride up over these bars and be folded to sealing position. 'I'he rearward end of the flap closing members are secured to a V-shaped sheet metal presser plate ||2 which is in turn secured to a cross bar III. This cross bar is provided with down turned ends to which are secured cushion members ||4 which are arranged to rest on the conveyor guards as shown in Fig. 6. A suitable weight ||2a may be mounted on the plate H2 if desired, to provide a suitable pressure on the closed container flaps. As the containers pass under the rearwardly extending ends of the flap holders and the presser plate H2, the folders and the cross bar ||3 thereon will be raised accordingly as the containers pass thereunder.

In order to prevent overlapping of the side aps as they are being closed, a sheet metal disc ||6 is rotatably mounted on an arm H6 which latter is in turn pivotally mounted at ||1 on the presser plate H2. The arm III normally rests on the cross bar ||3 thereby Supporting the disc IIB. A spring ||0 is secured to the presser plate H2 and rests on the disc arm IIB. The disc ||5 is positioned in the median plane of the machine and is arranged to ride over all of the containers so that as the side flaps are folded inwardly, their edges bear against this disc and overlapping of the flaps is prevented.

As the containers pass from the adhesive applying devices to the discharge end of the machine. the lower flaps are also folded by means of curved folder rods ||9 (Fig. 1) which may be rigidly secured to any suitable part of the frame. These folder rods operate in the same manner as those previously described. However they are not movable as the bottom of the containers all pass through the machine in the same horizontal plane. l

A flap separating disc |20 is pivotally mounted at |2| (Figs. l and 6) and in a position to prevent overlapping of the lower flaps in the same manner as the upper disc 5 prevents overlapping of the upper flaps.

The rear end of the container support 31 is also tapered as shown to enable the flaps to be completely folded as the container passes therefrom. -Each container, as it moves from the shelf 31, is supported by a plate or table |22 under the presser plate H2, from which it is pushed by a succeeding container to a suitable conveyor or may be removed in any desired manner.

Figs. 12 and 13 are top and side views respectively of a preferred embodiment of container aligning means which'may be substituted for the aligning arms 50 whereby all containers irrespective of width will properly be aligned and directed through the machine in the same plane. In this embodiment, two aligning mechanisms are preferably provided, one adjacent each end of the machine and on opposite sides of the gluing mechanism. The aligning mechanisms may be identical and therefore it is thought that a description of one will be suillcient for purposes oi' Y this specincation.

may also be provided if required. 'I'he :rames` |23 are pivotally mounted on arms |21 and |28, which latter are secured to vertical oscillatabie shafts |28 and |20 respectively. The shafts |28 on opposite sides of the machine are provided at their lower ends with oppositely disposed arms III, and these arms are connected by an equalizing link |32. Suitable forwardly extending arms are secured to the shafts |29, and these arms are connected together by means of a tension spring |33, the tension of the spring being adjustable by means of a threaded connection |34 with one of the arms. By this construction, the belt-sup porting frames |22 are normally resiliently retained in their innermost position, that is, in a position to engage and align the narrowest container within the limits of the machine, and it will be apparent that when wider containers are inserted in the machine they also will be engaged by the movable belts, and the frames will be spread apart in accordance with the width of the container, and all containers will automatically be aligned in the same plane.

Only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described. However, it will be understood that many modifications and changes in detail may be made by those skilled in the art, and it is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In an automatic universal sealer, the combination with means for conveying consecutive containers of diilerent sizes with the flaps on one end of said containers out of alignment, of movable means automatically positionable with respect to each container to apply adhesive to the ilaps of the said one end of all of said containers irrespective of misalignment.

2. In a universal sealer, the combination with means for moving consecutive containers of the same or different sizes or dimensions in a substantially straight line path, said containers having the flaps of both ends unsealed, of means oppositely disposed relative to said path and closely adjacent said ilaps for applying adhesive to the adjacent ilaps, at least one of said adhesive applying means being automatically adjustable relative to containers of different size to apply adhesive to the adjacent ilaps thereof irrespective of container size within the limits of said sealer.

3. In an automatic universal sealer, a conveyor for moving containers of different lengths with open aps and the flaps of diierent length containers out of alignment, and a movable gluing means automatically controlled by each container to position said gluing means in accordance with the length of the container to apply adhesive to the naps thereof.

4. A universal sealer comprising a conveyor for moving containers to a gluing means with their ends to be sealed in different planes, a gluing means adjacent the path of said containers, means to reciprocate said gluing means to and from said path, the movement of said containers and said gluing means being synchronized whereby the movement of said gluing means is limited by the height of each container to be glued.

5. A imiversai sealer comprising a conveyor for moving containers to a gluing'means with their ends to be sealed in diiferent planes, a gluing means adjacent the path of said con- -l-tainers, a reciprocating carriage for said gluing meais;\the movement of said containers and said carriage being synchronized whereby the top of each container limits the movement of said carriage to position said gluing means for applying adhesive to said container.

6. A universal sealer comprising a conveyor for moving containers to a gluing means with their ends to be sealed in different planes, a carriage supporting said gluing" means adjacent the path of said containers, means to reciprocate said carriage to and from said path, the movement of said containers and said carriage being synchronized whereby the movement of said gluing means in one direction is limited by the height of each container to be glued, and means to move said gluing means relative to said carriage during the gluing operation to provide skip gluing.

7. In a universal vsealer having means for moving containers in a predetermined path, the' combination with a carriage automatically movable from and toward said path and controlled by successive containers in accordance with their respective dimensions, ci.' adhesive applying means on said carriage and arranged to apply adhesive to consecutive containers when said carriage is adjacent said path, and means to move said adhesive applying means relative to said carriage to cause skip gluing.

8. A universal sealer comprising means for moving containers of different heights in a predetermined path with the bottoms of consecutive containers in a iixed horizontal plane, means for opening the top side iiaps to horizontal position, a vertically reciprocable carriage positioned above said path and movable to at least as low as the shortest container, 'the movement of said containers and said carriage being synchronized to cause said carriage during its downward movement to engage the top of each container and be supported thereby as the container passes thereunder, and adhesive applying means on said carriage and arranged to apply adhesive to the flaps of each container while the carriage is supported thereon.

9. A universal sealer comprising a frame, an elongated self supported thereon, a pair of oppositely disposed endless conveyors having ilights thereon adapted to move containers of diiferent sizes along said shelf, means for directing said containers onto said shelf with the bottom side ilaps thereunder and the end ilaps closed and resting on said shelf, means for completely opening said bottom side flaps, means for automatically centering said containers on the vertical axial plane of said shelf irrespective of size, means for applying adhesive to said bottom side naps, means for closing `the top end ilaps, means for automatically applying adhesive to the top side flaps irrespective of the height of said containers within the limits of said sealer, and means for closing all of said side flaps.

i0. In a universal sealer the combination with means for moving open containers of diiferent sizes in a predetermined path with their bottoms in the same horizontal plane and their vertical axes all in the same plane, oi a carriage positioned above said path, means to close the rear end flap, means to lower said carriage in front of the advancing front end ilaps of each consecutive container, the front end of said carriage being formed to close the forward end flap, and to cause said carriage to ride on said container while the container is passing thereunder, means to completely open the top side naps and means on said carriage to apply adhesive to the inside of said side ilaps.

11. In an automatic universal sealer, the combination with means for conveying consecutive containers of diil'erent heights in a fixed path. oi a vertically movable sealing unit positioned above said path and automatically positionable in response to movement of each container thereunder to apply adhesive to the outturned naps of said container, means on said unit for folding the upper side ilaps outwardly, means on said unit for folding the end tlaps inwardly, and means independent of said unit for retaining said end flaps closed and closing said side ilaps during continued movement of said containers.

12. In an automatic universal sealer, the combination with means for conveying containers in a fixed horizontal path, said containers being of any dimension between opposite nap groups within the limits of said sealer and in random consecutive order with respect to said dimensions, of automatically positionable gluing means limited in positioning movement by each container in accordance with the respective container dimension for consecutively applying adhesive to the ilaps of all of said containers.

13. In an automatic carton sealer, the combination with a movable gluing mechanism for applying adhesive to the tops of consecutively moving cartons, a fixed track, and means for advancing cartons of diierent sizes along said track in random consecutive order past said gluing mechanism, of means synchronized with said carton advancing means and controlled by each carton for bodily repositioning said gluing mechanism between consecutive adhesive applying intervals to enable application of adhesive to each consecutive container irrespective of size.

14. An automatic machine for applying adhesive to both ends of cartons, comprising'a fixed track, a pair of gluing mechanisms in opposed relation with respect to 'said track, means for advancing cartons of different lengths in random consecutive order along said track and between said gluing mechanisms, and means for bodily repositioning at least one of said mechanisms with respect to said track between consecutive gluing intervals to enable the application or adheslve to each end of consecutive cartons, said means being controlled by each carton irrespective of size to reposition said mechanism in operative gluing relation thereto.

15. In an automatic imiversal sealer having a iixed track and means for moving cartons oi various heights along said track in random consecutive order and with the upper side aps open, a gluing mechanism above said track and having glue-applicators continuously operable to apply adhesive to the open ilaps of all containers passing thereunder, means controlled by the respective successive cartons to bodily reposition said gluing mechanism and applicators relative to the respective height of each carton, and automatic means to intermittently move said applicators to nongluing position with respect to each carton to provide skip-gluing.

16. In a universal sealer the combination with means for moving consecutive containers of the same or different heights or dimensions between the ends to be sealed, in a substantially fixed straight line path, said containers having both ends unsealed and at least some of the aps open, of means for substantially simultaneously sealing both ends of all of said containers irrespective of varying sizes, said means comprising a pair of glue applicators oppositely disposed with respect to said path, and means controlled by each container for spacing said applicators in accordanoe with the dimension of the respective container.

17. A structure according to claim 1 characterized by said movable means comprising glue rolls and means for directing said flaps into intimate contact with siad glue rolls.

18. A structure according to claim 1 characterized by said movable means including glue rolls and elements for positively urging said ilaps into intimate contact with said glue rolls,

19. A structure according to claim 1 characterized by said movable means including glue rolls and elements for positively urging said flaps into intimate contact with said glue rolls, the latter including an upturned lip contactible with the flap to cause the latter to be urged into said intimate contact.

20. A structure according to claim 5 characterized by said movable means comprising glue rolls and means for directing said naps into intimate contact with said glue rolls. and means for moving said glue rolls relative to said directed f1aps to cause skip gluing.

JOHN L. FERGUSON.

caminan: or conmzcnon. pntenno, exmen. June 1o, 19in.

Jomw L; man.

V I't is'hereby ceztifid error appears 1n the printed specification yof the above numbers@ patent requiring Qrx'octionaa follows: Page 2, first column, line .59, for "andr" read and; page 6, 'acond column, line 50, claim 20, for the claim reference.nmera1."5 read 1; and that the said LetteraPatnt ahpuld be rend with this correction therein that the samev may conform to the rec'og'. gf the en se 1n the Patent Office.

signed ma sealed-this 26th any or August, L 15. 19m;

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

